johnston



I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

-E. A. JOHNSTON.

CIGAR CUTTING AND LIGHTING MECHANISM.

Patented June 29,1897.

TE Q INVENTOR 7? WM 7? i- J 7 ATTORNEY5 (No- Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. A. JOHNSTON.

CIGAR CUTTING AND LIGHTING MECHANISM.

No. 585,315. Patented June 29,1897.

V51: i E

WITNESSES: i

JKM ATTORNEY3 ED WARD A. JOHNSTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ISIDOR LATZAR AND JOHN N. DANNER, OF SAME PLACE.

CIGAR CUTTING AND LIGHTING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 585,315, dated June 29, 1897.

Application filed February 23, 1897. Serial No. 624,611. (No model.)

To a, 1417mm. it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. JOHNSTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cigar Cutting and Lighting Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to make a device or instrument by which the end of a cigar may be cut off and the cigar lighted ready for smoking by one simultaneous operation and my invention consists in the features and details of construct-ion hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my cutting and lighting device with a portion of the inclosing walls and a part of the cover cut away to more clearly show the arrangement of the parts; Fig. 2, a rear side elevation of one of the details; Fig. 3, a plan view, and Fig. t a rear sectional elevation taken in line 4 of Fig. 3.

In making my improved cigar cutter and lighter I make a base A of any desired size and material, preferably of metal, although this is immaterial. I mount on this base an inclosing wall 13, of a desired form, but preferably like that shown in the drawings. This case is provided with a top C, intended to inclose it, so that the operative mechanism will be housed or arranged within the case or box and protected from injury or interference. I introduce into one end of the case a gaspipe D, which will furnish a flame through the tip d, that extends up through the top of the case a desired distance and is inclosed by a chimney D, as shown in Fig. 1.

Within the case and in a desired position I arrange a cylinder E. This cylinder is provided with a piston-head e and a piston-rod e, which extends to the end of the cylinder, which may be open behind the piston. A pipe 6 extends from the end of the cylinder in advance of the pistonup through the top of the case and terminates in a nozzle 6 in proximity to the tip where the flame burns. The cylinder is provided with an arm F, that extends down and rests on the bottom of the base-piece. A lever G is pivoted to this arm at a point g and inclines upward and out through the end of the case, as shown in the drawings. An arm H is also pivoted at g and extends up and is pivoted to the end of the piston-rod c. This arm is provided with an extension h. The lever G is provided with a pin or shoulder g, which rests on the extension 77., so that as it is pressed down the arm H is oscillated on its pivotal point and the piston-head drawn back in the cylinder E. I pivot a rod I to the lever G, which rod passes up and out through the top of the case, where it is pivotally connected with the tail j of a cutter J, that is pivoted in a bracket K,as shown in Fig. 3. This bracket is provided with an upward extension 70, which stands opposit-e the knife J and past which the knife may shave in its advance movement.

As the lever G is pressed down the rod I is drawn down with it and the knife .I caused to advance to cut off the end of a cigar laid with its lighting end in the holder L and with its small or mouth end between the knife J and the piece 76. The large or lighting end in the holder L is in proximity to the flame burning at the tip d. The holder L is made of a form to encircle the end of the cigar, so

that as it is being lighted its wrapper will be covered and protected and only its end exposed to the action of the flame, so thatthe wrapper will not be burned or destroyed, as might be the case were no such protection provided. The opening in the holder is preferably made of a triangular shape, as shown in Fig. 4, and provided with projecting lugs or portions Z on the side toward the cigar. These projecting portions center the cigar, provide air'spaces around it, and prevent the cigar, particularly when pointed, from projecting too far through the holder toward the flame. The holder is mountedon a rod L, which passes back and is fastened to the cover of the case by screws Z, rivets, or other means. A spring L is arranged around the rod, with its forward end attached to a sleeve Zion which is mounted a bracket L which carries the holder. The bracket and sleeve are capable of longitudinal movement on therod, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, so as to accommodate cigars of different lengths. This spring tends to hold the cigar back, with its small end in proper position in the cutter, so that it will be shaved off by the movement of the knife.

A spring M extends from the arm H to an arm II, extending down a desired distance from the cylinder E, to draw the arm H forward and advance the piston in the cylinder. A slot N is made in the top of the case, as shown in the drawings, intended to receive a disk 0, rotating on a center 0, so that about one-third of the disk will be in view above the top of the case. A three-toothed wheel 0' is attached to the disk, carrying an arm 0, which has a rod 0 extending back and pivoted to an upwardly-extending arm G on the lever G. As the lever G is moved down the rod is drawn back and the disk rotated one third of its distance. It is moved forward by a dog 0 and prevented from moving back by a spring 0 This insures its rotation constantly in a forward direction, so as to bring into view about one-third of the disk with each downward movement of the lever. A spring Q extends from an arm q, extending down from the cylinder E to the extension G on the lever G, so that the parts are restored to their initial position after each downward movement of the lever to cut off the end of a cigar.

In operation the gas is lighted at the tip d and permitted to burn constantly or at such times as the device is in use. When a purchaser buys a cigar R, he can lay it in the holder L with its small or month end lying between the knife J and the extension and with its large orlighting end toward the flame. By pressing the lever G the knife is caused to advance and cut off the end of the cigar, while at the same time the piston e is drawn back, so that the cylinder in advance of the piston is filled with air. As the lever is released the spring M, drawing on the arm H, causes the piston to advance to expel the air through the pipe 6 and out through the noz- ,zle e so that the flame is blown toward and against the end of the cigar. This causes it \Vhile the lever is depressed to cut off the endof the cigar and light it the arm 0 is drawn back and the toothed wheel 0 and disk 0 rotated one-third of a revolution, bringing another third of'the disk into view. As soon as the lever is released the spring Q, draws the extension G to its initial position, so that the dog 0 is brought behind another tooth ready to operate again. Of course the disk and the mechanism for rotating it and exposing the advertisement can be omitted, if desired, withoutimpairing the operation of the cutting and lighting mechanism.

I Vhile I have described my cigar-lighting device with considerable minuteness, yetI desire it to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to mere details of construction further than as the same may be called for and pointed out in the claims.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a cigar lighting and cutting device, the combination of cutting mechanism, lighting mechanism, and a cigar-supporter which covers and protects the wrapper of the cigar around the end to be lighted.

2. In a cigar cutting and lighting device, the combination of cutting mechanism, lighting mechanism, and a cigar-supporter which covers and protects the wrapper of the cigar around the end to be lighted adjustable toward and from the lighting mechanism.

3. In a cigar cutting and lighting device, the combination of cutting mechanism, lighting mechanism, a cigar-supporter which covers and protects the wrapper of the cigar around the end to be lighted adjustable toward and from the lighting mechanism, and means for drawing the supporter and cigar toward the cutting mechanism.

4. In a cigar cutting and lighting device, the combination of cutting mechanism, lighting mechanism, and a cigar-supporter which covers and protects the wrapper of the cigar around the end to be lighted provided with centering lugs or ribs.

EDWARD A. JOHNSTON.

Witnesses:

THOMAS A. BANNING, THOMAS B. McGREGoR. 

